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Monday, September 22, 2008

Many flavors evoke the sense of the arrival of fall, but Maple is the flavor that most does it for me. At this time of year, I long to visit a region where maple is abundant... where maple farmers are tapping maple trees for sap in order to make fresh maple syrup. Instead, I must settle for my mail order maple sugar, Trader's Joe's highest grade maple syrup and the occasional home-baked maple treat. My first of the season: Maple- Walnut Spice Cookies.

I thought these soft, little cookies were spicy and flavorful enough to eat on their own, but a thin layer of glaze drizzled on top adds even more maple flavor and acts as a sweet addition.

The glaze spreads on fairly thin, and some even drips over the sides a bit, but it dries up quickly and sets enough that you could store them in between layers of waxed paper if you wished. Just place paper towels or waxed paper underneath a rack and drizzle the glaze without worry of messing up your table or counter. Simply throw away the mess when you're finished glazing.

A sprinkle of walnuts, lightly toasted of course, are an appropriate way to top this cookie. If you don't care for walnuts, pecans would be a nice replacement. And if you're not into nuts at all, the maple glaze is delicious enough to hold its own without a topping.

Use pure maple syrup if you can find it. Though expensive, it really makes a difference flavor-wise. Look for Grade B syrup (a darker variety with a more robust flavor) to use for cooking and baking.

*An added bonus- these cookies are only 82 calories. So plan to eat a few... practically guilt free!

Now that fall has arrived here in the U.S., I'll continue to hunt for more recipes that utilize the best of the fall flavors... pumpkin, cranberry, pecan, apple, pear and of course my favorite... maple.

38 comments:

You know, the more you write about the fall flavors, the less I will miss those darn summer fruits! The best part is all those fall fruits are readily available here!Pure maple syrup is a different animal, though. But thanks to some generous gifters I can now taste liquid gold! Now, if only I could get my hands on those cookies ;)

I have a jar of maple syrup that a friend got from Canada and I've been looking for recipes to try it, since here we don't have it and it's a flavour am not very used to. The cookies look delicious and something I would like to use my maple syrup in. Thanks!

Oh, I'm so glad you said 82 calories! You have no idea. I've been on a binge fest, and really shouldn't be working up my greed by blogging hopping. My hips thank you. My butt thanks you. I'm pretty sure the boys will thank you too.

Oh my gosh! I'm seeing all your recent posts and I just want to come and live with you! haha...You make all my favorite flavors into such nice creations...Apples, caramel, maple, walnut, pecan, chocolate, pumpkin....Oh my! You are a gal after my own heart.

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